Fire-escape.



PATENTED OUT. 4, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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\ vi! lull ...l| [I] ll. allrlllllllqll v Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

ORLANDO B. HOWE, OF LANARK, ILLINOIS.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No 771,25 1, dated October 4, 1904. Application filed January 20, 1904. Serial No. 189,933. (No model.)

To al whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORLANDO B. HOWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lanark, in the county of Carroll and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a fire-escape comprising a tapered support around which may be coiled a rope and guides for the rope at each endof the support so constructed that the support may be detached from the rope.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved fire-escape. Fig. 2 is a View of the larger end of the support, showing the guide. Fig. 3 is a similar end view in which the lip is broken away.

The support 1 is cylindrical in form and tapering in its lengthwise direction. To each end of the support is secured a guide for the rope comprising a plate 2, having a curved section 3 and a curved lip 4, the section and lip curving toward each other and leaving a space 5 between them greater than the thickness of the rope, as shown at Figs. 1 and 2. To the smaller end of the support is secured a strap 6, forming a loop to which is secured the band 7.

In use the rope 8 is securely fastened by one end within the building and the rope allowed to hang outside of the building. The rope is given one or more turns around the support and placed in engagement with the curved section 3 and under the lip 4 of the plates secured to the ends of the support, which will hold the support in the lengthwise direction of the rope. The person using the fire-escape places the band 7 under his arms and grasps the rope 8 below the support. The coils of the rope around the support give an increased friction in connection with the support, and the person using it can by pulling on the rope increase the friction to the extent desired, thereby regulating the descent. If the person using the fire-escape be unable to manipulate it, a person on the ground can lower him in safety by simply exerting more or less tension on the rope.

By the use of a number of the supports one person after another can be lowered without the delay necessary in pulling up the rope and running the support back the entire length of the rope.

It will be noticed. that the support is tapering in its lengthwise direction, which insures the rope making even wraps around the support, as the tendency of the rope is to make shorter wraps near the upper end of the support.

I claim as my invention 1. A fire-escape comprising a cone-shaped support, and engaging means on the outer surface of the support near its ends having open passage-ways for the rope whereby the support can be placed in engagement with the rope intermediate the ends of the rope.

2. A fire-escape comprising a cone-shaped support and a plate secured to each end of the support, each plate having two sections separated a greater distance than the thickness of the rope and overlapping the rope in opposite directions whereby the support can be placed in engagement with the rope intermediate the ends of the rope.

3. A fire-escape comprising a cone-shaped support and means at each end of the support for holding the rope in connection therewith and whereby the support can be placed in engagement with the rope intermediate the ends of the rope.

ORLANDO B. HOWE.

Witnesses:

A. D. BEHEL, E. BEHEL. 

